Radcliffe close to world best

Paula Radcliffe narrowly missed achieving a world 10 miles best performance with a runaway victory at the Bupa Great South Run in Portsmouth.

Radcliffe, competing for the first time since the disappointment of not winning a medal in the Olympic marathon, blazed around the very flat south-coast course in a time of 51 minutes 11 seconds.

It was a UK-best performance by beating the 51mins 41secs which Jill Boltz achieved 17 years ago in in New York.

Radcliffe quickly stamped her authority over her rivals by racing through the second mile in 4mins 57secs and opening a massive lead.

The victory, particularly with such a convincing performance, will be a massive fillip for Radcliffe before defending her New York Marathon title next Sunday.

More importantly Radcliffe appeared not to be suffering any ill effects from the stress fracture to her left hip nor the calf injuries which wrecked her Olympic marathon ambitions.

Portugal's Jessica Augusto clinched second place when holding off the challenge of Magdalene Mukunzi of Kenya, who tried desperately to close her down in the last 400 metres.

Bernard Kipyego kept the men's title in Kenyan hands after crossing the line well clear of Ireland's Martin Fagan and his fellow countryman and defending champion Luke Kibet in an unofficial time of 46mins 42secs.